Plectrum for stringed instruments



PATENTED MAR. 1, 1904 D.'W. BARNES. PLEGTRUM FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 18, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

iNVENTOR.

Patented March 1, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID W. BARNES, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

PLECTRUIVI FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 753,534, dated March 1, 1904.

Application filed July 18, 1903. Serial No. 166,106. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, DAVID W. BARNES, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at the city of New York, Brooklyn borough, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plectra for Stringed Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to improvements in plectra for stringed instruments such as mandolins, guitars, Zithers, and kindred musical instruments; and it has for its object to provide a simple and inexpensive plectrum adapted to relieve the wear that usually comes upon the fingers and thumb andat the same time insures a clear tone free from the metallic twang accompanying the use of the ordinary metallic or composition plectra now in general use.

With this object in view my invention consists, essentially, in a plectrum for stringed instruments composed of a body of comparatively soft flexible material, such as leather, and an inserted stifiening core of comparatively rigid material, such as metal or celluloid, substantially inclosed by said body and terminating short of the operative end of the body. The plectrum so constructed produces in a marked degree the effect in tone produced by the finger.

The nature of my invention will best be understood when described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a face view of a plectrum embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional face view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3 3, Fig. 1.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, numeral 1 designates the body of the plectrum, made of leather or analogous material having or possessing a soft nature with the requisite amount of flexibility for vibrating the strings. This body in the present instance is shown to be split in the longitudinal direction or composed of two flaps and has inserted therein a core 2, made, preferably, of metal, but can be In the present instance I have shown the core 2 entirely inclosed by the material of the body 1 and its lower end 3 a short distance from the lower or operative end of said body, and consequently the core does not come into actual contact with the strings of the instrument. If desired, the upper end of the core may project beyond or lie flush with the upper end of the plectrum. The operative end f may be transversely curved or tapered, as best seen in Fig. 3, so as to approach to acertain extent the formation of the end of the human finger.

If desired, the edge of the body may be beveled or tapered all around its outside edge.

What I claim as new is 1. As a new article of manufacture, a plectrum for stringed instruments composed of a body of comparatively soft, flexible material, such as leather, and an inserted stiffening-core of comparatively rigid material, such as metal or celluloid, substantially inclosed by. said body and terminating short of the operative end of the body, substantially as described.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a plectrum for stringed instruments composed of a body of comparatively soft, flexible material, such as leather, an inserted stiffening-core of comparatively rigid material, such as metal or celluloid, substantially inclosed by said body and terminating short of the operative end of the body, and the operating end of the body being laterally curved, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DAVID W. BARNES.

Witnesses:

RAENA H. YUDIZKY, A. FABER DU FAUR, Jr. 

